Dakar 2027 Moved From Saudi Arabia Amid Middle East Conflict

The 2027 Dakar Rally will move out of Saudi Arabia amid escalating security concerns in the Middle East, with organisers confirming the event will be held in a different territory following recent developments in the region.

The decision by the Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O.) and Saudi Motorsport Company (SMC) comes against the backdrop of the wider conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel, as well as ongoing tensions between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement. Missile and drone attacks targeting Saudi Arabia have added to regional security concerns, although organisers have not publicly identified a specific incident as the reason for the relocation.

The rally had been scheduled to run from 1 to 15 January 2027. The move has been described as an exceptional, one-off decision, made in close coordination with the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation (SAMF), with support from the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM).

Dakar 2027 will still go ahead, with A.S.O. taking responsibility for organising the event in a different territory. The new location is expected to be announced separately in the coming days, while A.S.O. is already in direct contact with competitors, teams and partners to help them manage the transition.

Saudi Arabia is set to return as host in 2028, when the Dakar Rally will celebrate its 50th running. A.S.O. and SMC are already working together on plans for the milestone edition, with both organisations committed to making it an important occasion for the rally and the Kingdom.

Saudi Arabia has hosted seven consecutive editions of the Dakar since the event moved to the country in 2020, welcoming competitors from around the world to routes showcasing the Kingdom’s geographical diversity.

Those events have established Saudi Arabia as an integral part of the Dakar community and strengthened the long-term strategic partnership between A.S.O., SMC and SAMF. All three organisations have reaffirmed their commitment to continuing their cooperation, developing motorsport in the Kingdom and delivering world-class experiences for competitors, teams and fans.